Label Spotlight: Prison Tatt Records

Prison Tatt Records is an eclectic and fiercely independent American record label releasing black metal, punk, and noise records through limited analog runs. What is so striking about Prison Tatt is how completely D.I.Y. the entire operation is. Wm. Berger, mastermind and workhorse, has fully dedicated himself to the vitriolic aesthetic of nearly all those he works with through his label. The label serves as a place for it's single proprietor to join forces with others who carry a similar passion for the darker side of music and noise. Each release outlined below is completely different from the rest, highlighting Prison Tatt's dedication to all forms of strange extremity. In the past I have encountered, loved, and exposed others to a couple of Prison Tatt releases like the recent joint effort with Sibir Records to release Yellow Eyes' beautiful and scathing Stillicide, Intolerant's prideful and scorn-filled Snow Stained with the Blood of Traitors, and Sesso Violento's absolutely brilliant/perverse punked out black metal hell Molestador. The passion of Wm. Berger is exceedingly clear through everything from the packaging of the releases to the handpicked roster of the label.

Smoke - Haat Laatste Oordeel

Smoke is a now unfortunately defunct improvisational black metal duo from the Netherlands. Haat Laatste Oordeel serves as the bands swan-song, and is a fitting end the band's distinct black madness. Eerie and deranged the one sided record careens down its dark path with strange howled vocals and wicked rasps taking charge over the cacophonous rattle that is the music. Improvisation can often times lead to two negatives, timid stagnancy or completely unlistenable chaos, neither of which gains hold over Smoke. Both musicians, K and M, maintain complete control throughout the entire recording. Falling somewhere between the stomping madness of degenerate punk and the cold seer of raw black metal, Smoke channels cavernous black energy. The clattering of drums flies full force against the churning wall of mangled and completely distorted guitar noise. The whole record is a writhing and screeching testament to the power of improvisation. The liberation from structure allows for the two musicians to craft a compellingly dark journey through the franticly pummeled drums and cobweb covered guitar expressions. Haat Laatste Oordeel serves as Smoke's final hour, an end to this duo's improvisational destruction. Both K and M are still very active in other projects, some belonging to the alluring Black Hermetic Order, a collective of projects releasing dark and suffocating raw black metal and noise mainly through K's own The Throat imprint. While Smoke is gone the will of it's creators continues.

Malkuth - Tamahprabha

Experimental black metal stalwarts Malkuth have recently joined the Prison Tatt roster. The trio specializes in a style of black metal rooted partially in traditional black metal aesthetics, swirling guitars, epic chords, and blistering blasts. However, Malkuth strives to reach a new plateau of black expression. Dark, spiraling madness presents itself immediately through majestic and hypnotic dual guitar work. The vehicle is obviously black metal but it's execution is raw, passionate, and shamanic. Melody plays a large role throughout the album, most of the music is soaked in sinister melodies and ancient sounding chord progressions making for a very mystical experience. Tamahprabha can be seen as a path to tread to the deepest reaches of dark eastern mysticism, one can follow the sweeping melodies, the malicious barking, and the palpable evil far into grim hypnotic bliss. Songs are given names that follow mainly the Jain faith, giving the album a feeling of religious significance, as if it acts as an expression of its creator's devotion. The final work of the album, "Naraka" is named for the place of torment in some schools of Hinduism and Jainism among others, and is completely representative of it's horror. The track serves as the opus of the work through its twisting rhythms and it's completely immersive guitar bewitchment. Rawness is the key, behind the cataclysmic racket of of guitar and drum sits a layer of solemn buzzing. The entire album is audible without being polished, raw without sacrificing spirit or musicianship, a perfect balance is struck and a pitch black mesmerism stands firm. Tamahprabha is Malkuth's fourth effort and serves as a companion to Hathir Sakta, released by the band last year.

Tomhet - Caliginous

A grinding and cosmic noise intro begins this, Tomhet's latest full-length, Caliginous. Released in 2012 Caliginous sees Xaphan, Tomhet's sole member, pushing the project deeper and more violently into the depths of depressive black metal. While the album is at it's heart a depressive black metal album it does well to not fall into many of the tropes and cliches associated with the often scorned form of black metal. By not relying to heavily on keyboard flourishes or slow to mid paced sulking Xaphan works to elevate the genre. Almost immediately one can pick out actual riffs amongst the gloom, for instance at the end of the first track, "Contrachristian" a massive and ugly riff rears its head. Also present is influence from harsh noise and dark ambient. The track, "Whispering Leaves" is an oppressive and dismal piece of noise which sits between two works of tortured black metal. "Sounds Like Memories" is a synth-soaked industrial work that brings with it waves of emotional weight. What sticks out about Xaphan's execution of the depressive black metal genre is the stunning amount of diversity brought to the table. Yes, the cornerstones of thick atmosphere, slow tempos, and pained vocals are all there but they thrive amongst waves of outside influences and frankly unique additions to the often stagnant genre. An absolutely scalding vocal performance also sits at the heart of Caliginous, everything from high pitched torturous screams to guttural and disgustful barks find themselves at home on the record. Caliginous is a brilliant and innovative depressive black metal album, a testament to the genres ability to exist outside the confines of the commonly one-dimensional genre.

Nuit Noire - A Beautiful Belief

The often mocked and misunderstood, weirdo and absolutely French genius of Nuit Noire has also found a home on Prison Tatt Records. Now the one man black/punk project of Tenebras, Nuit Noire has been churning out some of the most eccentric, stomping, and whimsical black metal ever recorded. Lyrics (printed in flowery cursive on the back of the sleeve) concern fairies, night, moonlight, trees, and all other sorts of non-traditional subject matter are sure to make any "trve" black metal warrior scowl. The beauty of Nuit Noire lies in Tenebras' ability to craft catchy, melodic, and rousing punked out black metal devoid of any sort of gimmick or showmanship. It's clear that he lives in his own world of fairies and wonder and a feeling of giddy discovery is palpable on A Beautiful Belief. Tenebras' black metal exists outside the spectrum of traditionalism and influence, serving as his way to bring others into his fantastical world. Black metal and punk have equal bearing on Nuit Noire's sound, however the product is barely reminiscent of other works that utilize both genres. There is no scraping hate of Bone Awl or stomping pride akin to Akitsa found here, instead the product is full of frivolity and subscribes to only Tenebras' unique vision. His vocals are, like the rest of the music found here, lighthearted and full of melody and emotion. Emotion is a key componant to Nuit Noire's music and the only emotion found here is one of pure elation. Nuit Noire's goal, one they absolutely succeed in on A Beautiful Belief, is to pull the listener by the hand with them as they frolic through moonlit fields alongside fairies into a world of eternal night and mystery.

All four of the above records serve as examples of the sheer unconventionality of all the projects associated with Prison Tatt. Smoke's improvisational severity, Malkuth's hypnotic, swirling passage towards insanity, Tomhet's dismal yet innovative depression, and Nuit Noire's brilliantly obscure punked out ramblings. Each carries with it a mark of innovation and progress in the world of dark music. Prison Tatt continuously proves to be a unique force in the worlds of black metal, punk, and noise and deserves infinite support. All Prison Tatt releases can be purchased here.

Label Spotlight: Vanguard Productions

Describing itself as a Vinland Label & Distro Vanguard Productions is a recently formed entity specializing in cassettes. Vanguard has released twelve tapes in it's short existence ranging from raw black metal to power electronics to neofolk and everywhere in between. In my spotlight of the label I will be taking a closer look at the two tapes from Vanguard that made the largest impact on me.

I have to preface this examination with a warning, while Vanguard Productions is an apolitical label it does not apologize for the political stance taken by it's supporters. Neither of the two projects highlighted in this spotlight have any sort of political stance however it is important that you understand the context of the work. Personally, I believe examining art of all forms and ideology regardless of ones personal belief system is important. That being said, this blog holds no political affiliation whatsoever and without diverging into a political discussion my own beliefs hinge on acceptance. This is neither here nor there, what is important is the music contained in the two tapes highlighted below. Intolerant is a scathingly raw black metal band and Solarthrone is a martial neofolk project.

Intolerant - Snow Stained With the Blood of Traitors

Blisteringly raw black metal is Intolerant's method of annihilation. Grating production and martial, anthemic riffs give the tape an immediately powerful impression. After a short introduction "Resistance to Modern Way" fiercely charges forward, displaying stomping odes to hatred and sorrow. The music contained brings to mind Slavic pioneers of the more atmospheric and introspective forms of black metal like Hate Forest and Drudkh or some of the bands in the infamous Russian BBH. The same majesty is contained in utilization of relentless torrential riffing. Stomping punk aggression is also a key element on Snow, less reliant on punk than say Akitsa but still charged with that same hateful grit. The use of keyboards is a key element to Intolerant's music, utilized to add a layer of sorrowful mysticism to the buzzing whirlwind of the tape. The tasteful usage of something so easily overdone like keys shows the true strength of musicians Warspirit and Discipline. While raw production can easily become a weakness for many bands, relying to heavily on the reverb drenched distortion to cover up inadequacies; Intolerant uses rawness differently. Riffs are still clear in all their triumph and sorrow, the drums, while not necessarily inventive, are aggressive and provide a solid backbone, and the vocals are completely audible and brutish in their execution. 

Intolerant, while not reinventing the wheel by any stretch of the imagination, succeed in creating some of the most interesting raw black metal I've heard in ages. Combining harsh production, expansive atmospheric riffs, and punk aggression makes the tape a cacophonous tumult. Sold out from the label the tape is available from distros like Dungeon Tapes and Primal Vomit Records. It was also recently made available on CD through the always brilliant Prison Tatt Records or directly from the label. This tape combines all my favorite aspects of black metal and comes with the highest possible recommendation.

Solarthrone - The Light We Follow

The Light We Follow shows Vanguard at it's most introspective and reflective through the entity Solarthrone. A one man neofolk project that makes use of expansive keyboard (also used to make a flute like sound), softly strummed acoustic guitar, chimes, simplistic drumming, and either chanted or stoically recited vocals. While simplistic the atmosphere created is dreamlike, flowing forward through hazy repetition. Obvious stylistic allusions to neofolk luminaries like Death in June or Sol Invictus exist but Solarthrone never relies on a strict framework. The tracks are divided between more straightforward folk influenced tracks and more subtle ambient work. "The Knoll" is one of the more ambient tracks and consists of delicate keys and the sound of thunder crashing. This simplicity is used to maximum effect again on "Moral," whispered vocals, the soft patting of drums, and airy keys envelop the listener in a misty warmth. Solarthrone writes songs to get lost in. The final opus of the tape is "To Lift the Cosmic Veil" and as the title suggests it is a journey into the far reaches of the cosmos. A beautiful strummed guitar finds itself traveling with hushed vocals, seeming to move forwards toward the joys and sorrows of unknown realms. The entire tape has a warm and somber feel, mystic and yet still grounded in stark reality.

Solarthrone perfectly exemplifies the other side of Vanguard's output. A work deeply rooted in both the esoteric and the physical. The hazy mountain range that adorns the tape is the perfect representation of the music inside, reaching towards some unknown but deeply rooted in the majesty of earth itself. The tape is available from directly from Vanguard Productions. 

This is merely a simple look at Vanguard Productions, an access point if you will. These two tapes stood out for me as the two finest works of the overall brilliant label. Along with Intolerant and Solarthrone Vanguard's rosters boasts exciting projects like Equinox, Thestral, and Bacchanal among others. I encourage you to dive into the world of Vanguard Productions, harshness and splendor awaits those who do.

Label Spotlight: Primal Vomit Records

Primal Vomit Records is a record label based in Jacksonville, Florida run by Sam Morgan. Specializing in black metal and almost every variation of the genre, P.V.R. has an extensive roster. I recently received a number of cassettes the label released between 2010 and 2012 and while they are not new releases they deserve your attention.

Ov - Pleasure

This demo, released in 2011 is pure audial filth. Ov plays a style of black metal that is extremely muddy and death metal influenced. Alternating between blasting madness and slow doomed out death metal passages this tape is full of variety. This album features no guitar, only bass giving the tape a low end, pulsating feeling. The bass riffs are extremely distorted, they tend to meld together creating a claustrophobic wall of sound. Some of the riffs have an almost punk like feel, this mixture of primitive playing and raw production values is the foundation of this release. The recording is very lo-fi but in Ov's case this is an advantage, the raw recording gives the tape a decrepit atmosphere, dripping with misanthropy and malice. The vocals are performed in a hoarse rasp, the perfect accompaniment to the music. Ov is a great example of black and death metal being mixed in an interesting way. The two genres are combined so often it is easy to sound like one's contemporaries, Ov is an exception. By adding punk influence and a great variation of tempos they distance themselves from the heard. According to the Metal Archives the status of the project is unknown, hopefully Ov will surface again and release another monster.

Vomikaust - Morbid Way to Suffer

Thrashing black metal is Vomikaust's specialty. This is the most violent release featured in this spotlight and once you hear it you'll immediately understand why. This entire tape is full of evil riffs over frantic blasts. The guitar tone on this tape is perfect, thick and distorted but clear enough to fully hear all the great riffs. Equal parts black and thrash Vomikaust's strength lies in a similar territory as Ov's, in the ability to seamlessly meld two genres into an interesting, cohesive whole. Yes there are elements of black metal: blast beats, tremolo picks, rasps, but there are also thrash elements like interesting and riff heavy guitar leads and the occasional Tom Araya-esque scream. The band also throws in an awesome cover of Von's "Devil Pig", this is one of the few instances a cover surpasses the original. I absolutely love Von but Vomikaust add a certain furry to the track that gives the rather one dimensional song a completely new and revamped feel. Everything about this release is smothering and oppressive, the fourteen minutes fly by in a furious rage, and it provides another example of P.V.R.'s dedication to all forms of the unholy genre of black metal. 

Ill-Tolerance - Prospects of Terror

The final release highlighted here is the second demo from the two piece, ski mask clad, Ill-Tolerance. Playing a mixture of numerous styles including black metal, grindcore, and powerviolence, that is melodic while still maintaining an extremely vicious edge. The guitar tone is thick and the riffs are crushingly heavy. There is a sense of the pummeling brutality utilized by many of the forefathers of the powerviolence genre like Infest or Crossed Out. This mixed seamlessly with black metal blasts and rasps makes the tape a full force onslaught. Each song is very distinct, containing different rhythms and grooves, something that can often be lost in a record so rooted in grindcore and powerviolence. Melody plays a large role here, while the genre tends to steer clear of melodic sensibilities Ill-Tolerance uses them as an advantage, even if not at the forefront there are hidden, lingering melodies. This is quite a unique project with a distinct sound. The band is still active so hopefully they will release something new soon.

This concludes my spotlight on P.V.R. and I've only scratched the surface of what this label has to offer. Other acts like Floridian Winter, Ives, and Fields of Passing also demonstrate P.V.R.'s stedfast dedication to the underground. Find them on Facebook here and at their blogspot.